1 October 2001
Naval vessels from the United States and France have intensified patrols off the East African coast, AFP reported on 30 September. The patrols are said to be part of the global war against terrorism.
A Kenya navy source is quoted by AFP as saying that "of particular interest is the un-policed 3,300 km (2,600 mile) coast of Somalia, where terrorist links to the (lucrative) fishing industry are being established". Two French vessels already based off the Djibouti coast were to be joined by US vessels, said AFP. It is estimated that 300 foreign fishing vessels, mostly belonging to companies from South America, Eastern Europe and South Asia, are illegally fishing in Somali waters. Some of these companies might be fronts for terrorist groups in the Middle East, said AFP.
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